---
title: "Short note: Planning software, MS Project"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:planning-software-ms-project-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/planning-software-ms-project-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Planning software, MS Project

Project Engineering · Chapter 3: Project Planning and Scheduling

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2073 Shrawan, 5 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [MS Project Tutorial for Beginners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAhyHEWVXL4) — Stuart Taylor - Project Management
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/planning-software-ms-project-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-3

## Question

Write a short note on planning software (MS Project).

## Short answer

Microsoft Project builds schedules, assigns resources, tracks progress, and calculates critical path and costs. It provides Gantt charts, resource histograms, and earned value reports, enabling fast updates and what-if analysis, but requires training and correct input.

## Answer

**Microsoft Project (MS Project)** is a widely used project planning and management software for building schedules, assigning resources and tracking progress.

#### Main features
- Create the WBS and task list with durations and links (finish-to-start, start-to-start and so on) and lag.
- Automatic CPM calculation: critical path, float, early and late dates.
- Gantt chart, network diagram and calendar views.
- Resource sheet: people, equipment, material, cost rates; assignment and over-allocation warnings; resource levelling.
- Budget and cost tracking; cash flow reports.
- Baseline saving, then tracking of actual progress and variance (earned value).
- Reports, filters, dashboards and export to Excel or PDF.

#### Advantages
Fast updating, handles large networks, reduces calculation errors, gives what-if analysis and clear reports.

#### Limitations
Needs training; results depend on correct input; may be too heavy for very small projects. Alternatives: Primavera P6, Excel.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. MS Project is used for:
   A. Structural analysis
   B. Building schedules, assigning resources and tracking progress
   C. Surveying
   D. Drawing
   Answer: B. It is a planning and management tool. (Key point: Purpose)

2. It automatically calculates:
   A. Critical path, float, early and late dates
   B. Soil bearing
   C. Beam moments
   D. Taxes
   Answer: A. Automatic CPM calculation is a main feature. (Key point: Auto CPM)

3. Why save a baseline?
   A. To track actual progress and variance against it
   B. To delete tasks
   C. To print
   D. To hide costs
   Answer: A. Baseline allows tracking of variance. (Key point: Baseline)

4. A limitation of MS Project is:
   A. Results depend on correct input
   B. Cannot handle large networks
   C. No reports
   D. Gives no what-if
   Answer: A. Needs training and correct input. (Key point: Limitation)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Project planning and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aplanning-concept-importance) — Project Engineering, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Importance of WBS for project planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Awbs-importance-in-planning) — Project Engineering, chapter 3
- [Risk response planning strategies](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Arisk-response-planning-strategies) — Project Engineering, chapter 5, asked 3×
- [Capital structure planning concept](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Acapital-structure-planning-concept) — Project Engineering, chapter 6, asked 2×
- [Short note: Capital structure planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Acapital-structure-planning-notes) — Project Engineering, chapter 6, asked 2×
- [Plan, importance, systematic planning process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aplan-importance-planning-process) — Project Engineering, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [Embedded real-time software; model for project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Finstrumentation_ii%3Aembedded-rt-software-model) — Instrumentation II, chapter 9
- [300 MW reservoir project: planning to commissioning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Areservoir-300mw-planning-to-commissioning) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 2
- [Project planning matrix (PPM)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-planning-matrix) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Benefits and problems of reuse; reuse planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Areuse-benefits-problems) — Software Engineering, chapter 5